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Inventor Open Sources "TV-B-Gone," and Why
ptorrone writes "Inventor Mitch Altman explains why he open-sourced his TV-B-Gone kit, the original stealth keychain fob for defeating TVs in public places. The title of the article is 'Patent-B-Gone' and perhaps the most interesting fact is that Mitch's brother is a patent attorney, but he still decided to release an open source hardware version of the TV-B-Gone, with pretty impressive results."
So many offensive television sets in inappropriate places...so little time.
I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
I am officially open sourcing my firstpost-B-gone
I was watching a news report about this topic at the pub the other day. Well, I tried to watch it, but the fritzy TV kept turning off.
UTF-8: There and Back Again
Great! Now there are technological aids to help people be annoying in public. Oh, and they're "open source", so anyone can build one. Beware Future Shop! Beware Best Buy! People can turn off your TVs by remote control. Ooooo! Scary!
Now here's the brilliant part. On one hand, this guy can market his TV-b-Gone, and on the other hand, he can market to big box stores a special security device. A discrete little box that you stick on the IR sensor and block malicious signals. The box contains a couple of IR LEDs, and a descrambler chip. The chip decodes signals from the special remote control (which he also will sell) so that the stores still have control over their TVs.
When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
Let's see. A device with no purpose other than to be malicious. Just because someone has the technical skills to create and sell a device, doesn't mean they should. If you don't like TVs in public places, don't be an ass. Just say something politely and maybe if they get enough feedback, they'll start shutting them off...or better yet, stop going.
There are reasons why there are TVs in public places. Some people value them. Just because you don't, doesn't give you the right to start powering them down.
Someone did this during the World Cup (Video). He's lucky he didn't get caught and lynched.
So, other than creating a public nuisance almost certain to result in getting your face punched, what EXACTLY is the point of this device?
It's for sanctimonious, condescending assholes who think TV is beneath them, and who need to force their choice upon others.
In other words, it's for getting your face punched. ;)
it's an electronics kit, i've seens thousands of kids make these and later their parents tell me that their kids want to be engineers. it's hard to know what will "spark" a kid's mind to get excited about doing things like engineering, but this is one of them.
(phil from MAKE magazine)
The cause of and solution to all of lifes big problems. Oh, no, wait... That should be alcohol. Won't somebody please think of the children?!
--I like turtles...
Okay, yes, I know, I used to own the t-shirt too. ("If it's too loud, then you're too old.")
But goddamn it, when I'm in a bar chatting with friends, everywhere around is also buzzing with laughs and good times, why does the barman decide to pump his crappy music up to 110 decibels?
Because people don't drink as much if they're talking. It's to increase his bottom dollar, not to make your night out better.
I would love to be able to remotely reduce the volume or kill the music all together. Somehow, I doubt there'd be a massive outcry from people who were talking to their friends and can now hear them without shouting.
In other words, it's for getting your face punched. ;)
Hah. I've been managing that for years without the aid of technology.
"go to any bar and I will almost guarantee that the sound is way too loud and NO ONE is watching/listening."
I'm not a big bar patron but I do go to watch the occasional sporting event. I can guarantee you that the vast majority of the bar is watching and listening during that time.
"I like TV, but not all the time. Don't *I* have a right to some f*cking peace and quiet?"
In someone else's bar or airport? No, you don't.
"But goddamn it, when I'm in a bar chatting with friends, everywhere around is also buzzing with laughs and good times, why does the barman decide to pump his crappy music up to 110 decibels?"
Because you're in the wrong bar. Bars do exist that provide a good atmosphere for conversation. I always make it a point to seek those bars out. In the US, most places that claim to be an English pub have reasonable volume levels but that's far from universal. I also look for bars that focus on drinks like wine or cocktails. I'm a beer drinker myself but the atmosphere is usually better in those places and they do usually have some sort of decent beer handy.
what I find is that they are mesmerizing. When I walk into a room with a tv on I feel the pull to look at it, as well as notice that everyone is looking at the tv like it had hyptonized them. It is much like a drug. Turning the tv off is more about breaking it's inevitable grasp on everyone's attention for at least a short time, so people look up and look around once in a while. It's not like you break the tv, it can be turned back on, and probably will be in short order.
In other words, it's for getting your face punched. ;)
Hah. I've been managing that for years without the aid of technology.
Luddite.
I like TV, but not all the time. Don't *I* have a right to some f*cking peace and quiet?
Yes. Plant your sanctimonious, entitled ass in your own living room with the TV turned off, you self-righteous prick.
.. because it's just a goofy novelty, with a minuscule market, and isn't worth the $10-$20k it costs to patent the stupid thing?
He needs to get over himself.
So when I don't want to be distrubed by blaring noise 24/7, I am an prick. When you want to impose your noise on others, that's OK.
If it's MY house, MY bar, MY store, then yes. Anyone who comes to my place and complains about my TV, music, decor, whatever is going to reminded of the location of the door.
Let's see, since it's election day, let me take a stab in the dark and predict that you are going to vote conservative with McCain/Palin because like you, they want to impose their will on others.
Actually, you fail. (see here)
And how is forcing the TVs off because YOU don't like it not "imposing your will on others", hypocrite?
Ever notice most liberal want to let others do what they want and most conservatives want others to do as they do?
Then you must be conservative, by your own definition. I hope the cognitive dissonance gives you a stroke, you waste of oxygen.
TV is actually an adition like alcohol. Try taking away the bottle from an alcoholic watch his reaction. irst he becomes combative "who the hell, give my that back". Hell do anything to get more. Same happens with TV. Try turning it off and the TV watchers first reaxtive is to be combative, then they try to turn the TV back on. TV adicts will pay anything, even $100+ a month just to watch
What the fuck is wrong with you? Is this a troll? Or is your sarcasm implementation device just broken?
If you take *anything* away from me I'll get pissed at you for TAKING MY SHIT. I pay for TV because I value the programming I get at slightly more than the amount I spend on it. Same for anything else.